City Comparison
Pukekohe vs Grants Pass
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Pukekohe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Pukekohe
Grants Pass
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Pukekohe is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
40% lower than in Grants Pass.
Housing costs are a major driver: Pukekohe's average rent is
55% lower than Grants Pass's.
| Metric | Pukekohe | Grants Pass | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $650 | $1,450 | -55% |
| Groceries | $420 | $450 | -7% |
| Utilities | $190 | $400 | -53% |
| Transport | $150 | $120 | +25% |
| Healthcare | $140 | $150 | -7% |
| Monthly Total | $1,550 | $2,570 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 92 | 112 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Grants Pass offers 10% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Pukekohe delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Pukekohe is estimated at
$52,000 vs $58,000 in Grants Pass.
| Metric | Pukekohe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $64,331 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $58,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,043 idx | 57,438 idx |
| Household Income | $62,700 | $59,646 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Pukekohe runs warmer on average — a 59.5°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Pukekohe comes out ahead with 202 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Pukekohe sees 0 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Pukekohe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 59.50°F | °F |
| Summer High | 57.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 59.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 64.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 0.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 202 | |
| Humidity | 74.00% | 74.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Grants Pass has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
8,500 minutes (142 hours) per year compared to Pukekohe.
Pukekohe scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Pukekohe leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Pukekohe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 35 min | 18 min |
| Transit Score | 48.0/100 | 27.0/100 |
| Walkability | 62.0/100 | 40.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Grants Pass is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Pukekohe.
From a growth perspective, Pukekohe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Pukekohe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Pukekohe | Grants Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 28,800 | 40,051 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | 0.90% |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.8 |
| Unemployment | 5.10% | 5.60% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Pukekohe
Advantages
Median weekly rents and housing options remain more accessible than central Auckland equivalents.
Strong community spirit with rich cultural diversity rooted in long-standing local communities.
Abundant local green spaces, parks, and close proximity to west coast surf beaches and the Waikato River.
Active local job market driven by thriving primary horticulture, construction, and commercial sectors.
Family-friendly environment featuring reputable local schools and extensive sports recreation facilities.
Drawbacks
High car dependency for daily errands and outlying residential subdivisions.
Peak-hour traffic congestion on arterial routes connecting to State Highway 1 and metropolitan Auckland.
Limited high-end nightlife and entertainment options compared to core Auckland urban centers.
Infrastructure strain from rapid population expansion and edge-subdivision development.
Reliance on outer regional facilities for specialized tertiary healthcare and major hospital services.
Grants Pass
Advantages
Access to world-class outdoor recreation on the Rogue River, including rafting and fishing.
More sunny days and a warmer, drier climate compared to much of western Oregon.
Housing is comparatively more affordable than larger West Coast cities and some other Oregon metros.
A growing arts and food scene in a walkable, historic downtown.
Friendly community atmosphere appealing to families and retirees.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, particularly due to property crime.
Limited high-wage job opportunities compared to larger economic centers.
Air quality can be impacted by wildfire smoke during certain seasons.
Presence of a significant homeless population in the downtown core.
High car dependency due to minimal public transportation options.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Pukekohe
#22Auckland, New Zealand
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$650
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
92
Commute
35 min
Transit Score
48.0/100
Walkability
62.0/100
Sunny Days
202/yr
Avg Temp
59.50°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
5.10%
Livability
77
Business
70
Grants Pass
#584Oregon, USA
45.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$64,331
Cost Index
112
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
40.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.90%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
60
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